Regardless of one's political views, some of the most engaging reads about the U.S. from the foreign press are those that drip with the most polemic, animus or even, as in this piece from Pakistan's the Nation, unadulterated sarcasm. Here's a taste President Bush has warned Iran and Syria to stop interfering in Lebanon’s affairs. Iran and Syria must know that … [Read more...] about Generous Bush and His Weapons for Fun
Fred Thompson Withdraws
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about Fred Thompson Withdraws
Guest Voice: Newt: A GOP Dark Horse?
This is a Guest Voice column by Michael Reagan, Ronald Reagan's oldest son, who is also a popular radio talk show host. Guest Voice columns do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Moderate Voice or its writers. Newt: A GOP Dark Horse? Making Sense, by Michael Reagan Fred Thompson's gone. Duncan Hunter's gone. All these people are gone. Huckabee could become … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: Newt: A GOP Dark Horse?
935 Lies
(For those that missed this in the American press yesterday...) If only the White House had done empirical analysis this exact when they were looking for the darned WMDs. … [Read more...] about 935 Lies
The Global Downturn: A ‘Shock of Suspicion’
Now that the economic downturn which began in the United States has spread in a very major way to the rest of the world, who's to blame? According to the editorial board of French newspaper Le Monde, the blame in large measure goes to 'Western economic and monetary leaders have long explained that the worst was ‘unlikely.’" EDITORIAL Translated By Kate Davis, January 23, … [Read more...] about The Global Downturn: A ‘Shock of Suspicion’
GOP Debate in FL & A Major Newspaper Endorsement
I'm not watching this one. I do see that The Caucus at The New York Times is live-blogging. BTW, The New York Times has just endorsed Hillary Clinton and John McCain. The potential upside of a great Obama presidency is enticing, but this country faces huge problems, and will no doubt be facing more that we can’t foresee. The next president needs to start immediately on … [Read more...] about GOP Debate in FL & A Major Newspaper Endorsement
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE RACE FOR PRESIDENT
The finalists emerge:Now that Iowa, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Michigan, Nevada, and South Carolina have voted, at least in one party, one thing is perfectly clear: While the identities of the two major-party nominees are not yet certain, the ranks on both sides have thinned dramatically and the finalists have emerged. For the Democrats, the nominee will either be Hillary Clinton … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE RACE FOR PRESIDENT
Stimulus Package Round-Up
Last week, when President Bush outlined his proposed stimulus package, someone asked me what I thought. My reply: First, it will raise the national debt and deficit during "wartime". FDR was more fiscally conservative. Second, as it sits 40% of people won't get the whole "rebate" because they didn't pay enough taxes. Those 40% of people are the same people most likely to … [Read more...] about Stimulus Package Round-Up
Who Would McCain, Romney, or Huckabee Choose as Running Mate? (Part 1)
Unless Rudy Giuliani pulls off a Florida surprise in next Tuesday's primary, there are now three Republicans with some chance of winning their party's presidential nomination: John McCain, Mitt Romney, and Mike Huckabee. Recently, I speculated on who might be the vice presidential running mates of Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama in the event that one of them becomes the … [Read more...] about Who Would McCain, Romney, or Huckabee Choose as Running Mate? (Part 1)
Ed Schultz’s Contention Bill Clinton “Lying” Underscores Former President’s Polarization Among Democrats
Progressive talk show host Ed Schultz is highly critical of former President Bill Clinton. In fact, except for the use of a strong word (see headline) that we prefer not to use in posts (it is overused by partisans on both sides and sometimes people in politics are absolutely convinced that what they say is reality) his conclusion echoes the conclusion of yours truly as this … [Read more...] about Ed Schultz’s Contention Bill Clinton “Lying” Underscores Former President’s Polarization Among Democrats
Ron Paul, Libertarian
There's a lot to love about Ron Paul. And he is appreciated far afield, as evidenced by this op-ed from Siglo XXI, a Guatemalan Spanish-language daily, translated as ever by Watching America.com. … [Read more...] about Ron Paul, Libertarian
Condoleezza Rice: ‘Naive’ American
Is American optimism just foolish naivety, or does it actually have the power to change realities on the ground? According to Andreas Theyssen of the Financial Times Deutschland, the answer is pretty clear that whatever mistakes American optimism results in, the record shows that it's nothing to sneeze at. “God has a special providence for fools, drunks and the United … [Read more...] about Condoleezza Rice: ‘Naive’ American
Obama’s Campaign Uses Bill Clinton Campaigning For Funds Appeal
The war between the camps of Senator Barack Obama and the Billary campaign of Senator Hillary Clinton and the person who is emerging as her Campaigner In Chief, former President Bill Clinton, is heating up. BIG-TIME. The Clinton campaign has started to make some in the Democratic Party uneasy about the unfettered co-campaign of Bill Clinton, a figure long-beloved throughout … [Read more...] about Obama’s Campaign Uses Bill Clinton Campaigning For Funds Appeal
BREAKING: Kucinich drops out
Of the presidential race. From the Plain Dealer's blog, Openers: Cleveland Congressman Dennis Kucinich is dropping out of the Democratic race for president. Kucinich will make the announcement Friday at a news conference in Cleveland. In an exclusive interview with Plain Dealer editors and reporters, Kucinich said he will explain his "transitioning" tomorrow. "I want … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Kucinich drops out
Freedom Digitized
The Internet is like alcohol in some sense. It accentuates what you would do anyway. If you want to be a loner, you can be more alone. If you want to connect, it makes it easier to connect. -- Esther Dyson, Interview in Time Magazine, October 2005 That quote above outlines why I laugh at the viewpoint that the Internet is evil. Like any medium, it is affected by the … [Read more...] about Freedom Digitized
Republican Misogynist Hatred of Hillary Clinton, Part 36
This time, it's from someone with deep, deep party roots. … [Read more...] about Republican Misogynist Hatred of Hillary Clinton, Part 36
The B-Ball Coach vs. The Archbishop
If you live in the St. Louis area, you've already heard this story. If you don't live here, read on. The Archbishop of the St. Louis Diocese, Raymond Burke, is well known for his uncompromising views on Catholic doctrine and his flat-out inability to make his case without sparking an uproar. Among other grating acts, Burke once criticized a local Catholic hospital for … [Read more...] about The B-Ball Coach vs. The Archbishop
Like Poland, Romania Must Tell America What it Wants!
How important an issue is America's missile-defense shield to Eastern Europeans? According to this frustrated op-ed from Romania's Ziarul newspaper, given the increasingly shrill nuclear threats coming from Moscow, Romania must demand more from Washington to assure its own security - just as Poland and others already have. “The government of Romania had absolutely no reaction … [Read more...] about Like Poland, Romania Must Tell America What it Wants!
Pope Calls For More Ethical “Info-Ethics” Media
EVERYBODY is a media critic these days: Pope Benedict XVI has called on the media to underpin its work with ethical considerations and do more to promote the "dignity of the human being". The pontiff said there was a need for what he called "info-ethics" - as much as bio-ethics in the fields of medicine and biological research. He said the media was often used to … [Read more...] about Pope Calls For More Ethical “Info-Ethics” Media
Republicans Wrestle With Pork
A generation gap is dividing GOP members of Congress over the classic conflict between doing good for the country and doing well for the voters who sent them there. According to Washington insiders' bible, The Hill, "earmarking funds back home is becoming the most divisive issue facing congressional Republicans. "The fight largely pits junior conservatives--arguing that … [Read more...] about Republicans Wrestle With Pork